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| England Call-Up For Gray |
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| Newcastle back row Alex Gray |
| 5 January 2009, 12:36 pm |
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| Newcastle Falcons back rower Alex Gray has been named in the England Under-18s squad for the upcoming Six Nations Festival. |
The squad of 26 players has been selected from the Rugby Football Union's Regional Academy system and includes 12 players who ran out for the Under 18s side last season in either the Six Nations Festival or the Development Tour to Argentina, where Gray skippered England to five wins from five.
England head into this season's Six Nations Festival campaign on the back of a grand slam of wins in the European showcase competition in Cork last season, but with several new faces in the side coach John Fletcher says the slate is wiped clean this season.
He said: "I am delighted with this squad and I am really looking forward to working with them. We enjoyed success last season, but this is a new squad and therefore a new opportunity for the players.
"The squad selection began in the summer with a training camp in Loughborough, and since then the squad has been whittled down and we have had a few warm-up games as well as time together as a squad.
"What's really exciting this year is that we have a great balance in the squad. There is competition for places in every position. We have got some really good ball carriers, a strong pack and real pace in the backs so I am looking forward to some exciting rugby."
The England Under 18s Six Nations Festival squad kick off their season against Scotland at Kingston Park on March 22nd, 2pm. On March 29th they play Japan High Schools at Exeter Chiefs' Sandy Park, kick-off 2.30pm.
England then travel to Parma in Italy for the Six Nations Festival with games against Wales on April 12th, Ireland on April 15th and Italy on April 18th.
England Under 18s Six Nations Festival squad Fixtures:
March 22nd, Kingston Park, 2pm England v Scotland
March 29th, Sandy Park, 230pm, England v Japan High Schools
April 12th, 5pm, England v Wales, Grand Parma Rugby
April 15th, 7.30pm, England v Ireland, Viadana RUFC
April 18th, 4.00pm, England v Italy, Viadana RUFC |
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